I'm curious how it has affected your style of usage and sailing behavior. Has it caused you to sail less because you now need an extra crew member (that is not always available) to handle the dock duties and you can no longer single hand like you use to? Or has it opened up new places farther away to venture to that you could not access with your day sailer? Has it presented a faster drain on your budget with the replacement/upgrading/maintaining of LARGER sails, equipment, slip fees etc. than you'd anticipated.... Any surprises that you didn't anticipate with 'moving up'... Any thoughts that your previous boat was *really* the *right* size...? Does anyone go back to sailing smaller rather than the 'terminal trawler' in the twilight years of physical mobility....? How large a boat can you reasonably single hand if conditions are good? Have you got a line 'holster' in your slip to catch the bow on returning to eliminate the need for a dock hand? Whats your set-up for single handing....? I need help setting up my 34 for just that...
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Steve
Moved Up...
My wife and I moved up from a 23 footer to a 34 footer. Best decision we ever made. With the exception of racing, we have never needed an extra dock hand or extra hand on the boat. We've had the boat out in 25 - 30 knots of wind, just the two of us. It's a little more work, and I handle the sheets and sails, my wife does the helm work when it's this way. The boat's more comfortable, so we stay out in it longer, anchor out away from the dock much more often, and spend a lot more time on this boat during the winter months - sort of like a cabin to get away. Of course, the slip fees are more expensive, and some of the upgrades are more expensive, but it's a boat. Oh, by the way - when racing the boat in heavy winds, it is nice to have an extra hand on board, but we've raced the boat many times just the two of us - and we've done pretty well in club series racing. Getting into the slip will come to you - it just takes practice. In time it will be as easy as your smaller boat. Have fun!
My wife and I moved up from a 23 footer to a 34 footer. Best decision we ever made. With the exception of racing, we have never needed an extra dock hand or extra hand on the boat. We've had the boat out in 25 - 30 knots of wind, just the two of us. It's a little more work, and I handle the sheets and sails, my wife does the helm work when it's this way. The boat's more comfortable, so we stay out in it longer, anchor out away from the dock much more often, and spend a lot more time on this boat during the winter months - sort of like a cabin to get away. Of course, the slip fees are more expensive, and some of the upgrades are more expensive, but it's a boat. Oh, by the way - when racing the boat in heavy winds, it is nice to have an extra hand on board, but we've raced the boat many times just the two of us - and we've done pretty well in club series racing. Getting into the slip will come to you - it just takes practice. In time it will be as easy as your smaller boat. Have fun!
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Don Berger
Size is a relative term
In my old Coast Guard days, I recall not even breaking a sweat when docking the single screw CGC Courier on that long pier in Yorktown. Although sometimes my 40 ft now seems much bigger, it's all in the getting used-to and you can get used to anything in time. I've seen boats much larger which were easier to sail than our old 27 so it all depends on two things - the way we set up our toys and the ability we have to play with them. Don I;;usion
In my old Coast Guard days, I recall not even breaking a sweat when docking the single screw CGC Courier on that long pier in Yorktown. Although sometimes my 40 ft now seems much bigger, it's all in the getting used-to and you can get used to anything in time. I've seen boats much larger which were easier to sail than our old 27 so it all depends on two things - the way we set up our toys and the ability we have to play with them. Don I;;usion
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Randy
Ten foot-itis
I had a 17 foot Newport that served me well for 13 years. I've since moved up to a Catalina 27--a great move. The 17 footer was sailed primarily in the back bays (sailed the ocean twice on "perfect" days). We also did a couple of weekend/overnight trips, but this was more like camping on a boat than cruising. After such a long time, I began to get a little bored with sailing the same waters over and over, and tacking my way up the ICW. I had decided some years back NOT to move up to a 22 footer since it wouldn't represent a large enough jump in size. Instead, I waited a little longer and went for the 27, which opened up a new world. Most of our sailing is now ocean sailing, and the overnight or weekend trips are in relative comfort. Yes, it's more expensive to buy, maintain, dock, haul, etc., but I knew that. I wouldn't go back. In fact, if I were doing it again right now, I might go for a C 30. Despite the joys of a larger boat, I still like the simplicity of a small boat, so I still keep my Laser, and use it for an occasional sail. I've also been toying with getting a Sunfish, so that my wife and I could daysail around the bay in more comfort than the Laser offers. Bigger is better, but not too big. In the future, I hope to get something in the 32-36 foot range. Any larger than that and I'll be too restricted by draft, dock space, etc. For now, the 27 is just fine, though. Randy
I had a 17 foot Newport that served me well for 13 years. I've since moved up to a Catalina 27--a great move. The 17 footer was sailed primarily in the back bays (sailed the ocean twice on "perfect" days). We also did a couple of weekend/overnight trips, but this was more like camping on a boat than cruising. After such a long time, I began to get a little bored with sailing the same waters over and over, and tacking my way up the ICW. I had decided some years back NOT to move up to a 22 footer since it wouldn't represent a large enough jump in size. Instead, I waited a little longer and went for the 27, which opened up a new world. Most of our sailing is now ocean sailing, and the overnight or weekend trips are in relative comfort. Yes, it's more expensive to buy, maintain, dock, haul, etc., but I knew that. I wouldn't go back. In fact, if I were doing it again right now, I might go for a C 30. Despite the joys of a larger boat, I still like the simplicity of a small boat, so I still keep my Laser, and use it for an occasional sail. I've also been toying with getting a Sunfish, so that my wife and I could daysail around the bay in more comfort than the Laser offers. Bigger is better, but not too big. In the future, I hope to get something in the 32-36 foot range. Any larger than that and I'll be too restricted by draft, dock space, etc. For now, the 27 is just fine, though. Randy
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Norm (C30 Somerset)
Been there, done that....
My wife and I moved up from a McGregor 25' to a Catalina 30 last year and would never go back. We find the difference in accomodation between the two is phenominal for a mere 5 foot difference in length, and the Cat 30 is as responsive and fun to sail as the McGregor. We have had a few "incidents" when trying to dock the new boat, but the last dozen times or so have been without any extra adrenalin inducing moments, so I guess we are getting used to it. We watched the other day as another skipper of a Cat 30 come into his slip at about 2kt, slammed it into reverse, and sidled right up to his tie-up. I am hoping that, over time, I will have the same confidence in both myself and my boat.
My wife and I moved up from a McGregor 25' to a Catalina 30 last year and would never go back. We find the difference in accomodation between the two is phenominal for a mere 5 foot difference in length, and the Cat 30 is as responsive and fun to sail as the McGregor. We have had a few "incidents" when trying to dock the new boat, but the last dozen times or so have been without any extra adrenalin inducing moments, so I guess we are getting used to it. We watched the other day as another skipper of a Cat 30 come into his slip at about 2kt, slammed it into reverse, and sidled right up to his tie-up. I am hoping that, over time, I will have the same confidence in both myself and my boat.
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Tom
I did the 9 foot jump 27 to 36
and it was one of the best things I ever did. (Old Watkins 27 to Catalina 36MKII) I find it just as easier (if not more so) to sail than the 27. All lines are led aft into the cockpit, my old boat didn't, and docking is about the same I just pull her in the same way as my old boat. I guess it all depends on the design (full keel, etc) And of course Cost was/is much higher. I expected no less, but the ammenities are great compared to the 27, especially with 2 kids on board
and it was one of the best things I ever did. (Old Watkins 27 to Catalina 36MKII) I find it just as easier (if not more so) to sail than the 27. All lines are led aft into the cockpit, my old boat didn't, and docking is about the same I just pull her in the same way as my old boat. I guess it all depends on the design (full keel, etc) And of course Cost was/is much higher. I expected no less, but the ammenities are great compared to the 27, especially with 2 kids on board
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Dave
10 foot jump
Catalina 25 to O'Day 35. Best move i ever made. The 35 is just as easy to sail, is more stable, reaches destinations faster, has better equipment, instruments, navigation electronics, etc. It took a couple sails to get used to the size but now I am concerned it is getting too small. I am considering moving up to a Perini Navi in the 165 foot range next. Dave
Catalina 25 to O'Day 35. Best move i ever made. The 35 is just as easy to sail, is more stable, reaches destinations faster, has better equipment, instruments, navigation electronics, etc. It took a couple sails to get used to the size but now I am concerned it is getting too small. I am considering moving up to a Perini Navi in the 165 foot range next. Dave
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